Page 40 of His Vicious Vow

I sigh. I have no freaking idea. My mom tried to get me into it the first day I was stuck in here but I told her to leave and she said she’d plan it without me.

My mom is doing it all. I’m sure it won’t embarrass you.

Shit, should I have not told him that?

I’ll speak with your mother tomorrow.

Damn it.

Please don’t. Let it go. She has good taste. We won’t be able to plan it together. I trust her

That’s one of the biggest lies ever. I stopped trusting her after her breast cancer where between me and Celia we were there for her every step of the way, not Carlo. Only for the moment she was well again he was back and she pretended like he never left her side. I’m hoping he buys it and lets it go. If Sandro gets involved, it will become drama.

Would you like to speak with Celia to have her help?

Huh, he’s actually asking a question not declaring a decree.

No, please. I don’t want Celia to worry.

I hold my breath for a different reason. I’m not sure what to expect but it’s not what he sends.

If you aren’t happy with it, we can have another here in Vegas done with everything you want. In the end you will have the wedding you dreamed of whether it’s three weeks or three months from now.

My chest twists. Why did he keep confusing me? He’s having my ring redone, he’s offering me a do-over on a wedding day for it to be everything I want. Deep down I don’t dare plan my wedding with my mom for fear she’ll roll her eyes at what I want. Men aren’t supposed to care about that stuff or even get why women care.

And if I said I wanted a big pink dress with lace and crystals?

I can’t let him know how much the offer means to me. And he’d freak over the cost.

I would say I’ll wear a matching pink tie if you want me to. I don’t like the idea of crystals, they might look cheap. Bianca was looking at one where they used sapphires instead of crystals. I would also be disappointed if the dress didn’t make as impressive of an impact as you do. My only no for anything is not to have a Sailor Moon dress.

The smile is so deep on my face it hurts.

Why can’t I have a Sailor Moon dress????!!!!

I know his answer before it appears on the screen.

I would prefer not to have someone who had no hesitation killing her beloved before offing herself be front and center on our wedding day.

Laughter bubbles out of me. I wonder if he watched it long ago or if he did recently.

Fine. No Sailor Moon dress. It will simply be covered in white sapphires and pearls.

Blinking the second time lasts longer.

Sounds beautiful. Can’t wait. All right, my dear wife. I’m walking into a meeting. I will say good night and dream of me.

I don’t respond. I can’t because I have no doubt I’ll dream of him.

CHAPTER 15

Sandro

Lauren is waiting in my office Natasha warns me. This is what I get for dipping my pen in company ink. I believed with her here at the hotel on the strip it wouldn’t matter. While I might have often visited Luca, it’s where I met her, we were never supposed to cross paths on a daily basis.

She is sitting in a chair in front of my desk. Her back is straight, her head high, her legs tilted to the side and crossed at the ankles. The prim snow-white suit is one she wears often. Lauren wore white exclusively, sharing she found it a subtle dig at those who would be racist dicks to her for being black. It also helps to no end she looks good in the color. “Sandro, I’m not here to make a nuisance of myself. Our relationship ended with no acrimony on my part even if your sister is lying. I simply want to continue working here to curate your event to the best of my ability.”

I take my own seat behind my desk as I consider her little speech. I do not want to fire her. The traveling exhibit of an extensive collection of Van Gogh was Luca’s baby. Paul as the VP of operations for the property hired her based on several recommendations. The exhibit might not be for another year or on the official schedule yet but it’s an enormous undertaking. Lauren as well as the curators of the exhibit warned a full year would be the minimum amount of time necessary for planning and execution. It’s expected to bring in several million in profit.